Hard Corps

by Paul Mannering

  Timber stepped onto the bridge. “You seeing the atmo readings?”

  “All BANT,” Erik replied. Breathable and non-toxic.

  “Why would the Helos have a ship with human atmo?”

  “Maybe the Herald can tell us?”

  Noshi didn’t respond. Her eyes were half-closed and her hands caressed the lit panels on the arms of her seat.

  Erik jerked when the floor vibrated. The hum of systems coming online spreading through the hull and superstructure of the ship.

  “Herald?”

  The ship is powering up. Systems are coming online.

  “For what purpose?”

  I do not know. Yet.

  “Shut it down. This is a Helos ship.”

  That is not certain.

  “You said there was a Helos here. This has to be a Helos ship.”

  Correlations are not enough to determine certainty.

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  It means, First Trooper Erik, you must be patient.

  “Erik?” Timber was not receiving the messages from Noshi, and the rest of the squad were only holding their positions by strength of discipline.

  “Squad, maintain and hold,” Erik ordered. “We await the wisdom of the Herald.”

  IV

  Erik dozed in a standing position, his suit locked in place and his sensors ready to alert him to any emerging threats.

  The bridge had been quiet for an hour, each trooper entering standby mode, sucking nutri-pacs or sleeping. Only Noshi remained operational, delving into the ship systems, finding universal logic in the strange patterns that made up the control systems interfaces. It was clear, whatever the origin of this ship, it had been designed for operation by humans.

  The systems’ interaction melded seamlessly with her Diorite-trained perception, another piece of a puzzle with no clear final state. Under her hands, pulses touched her skin in response to commands both keyed in and mentally focused. Across the ship, power-generating systems engaged and went through boot-up sequences. Each system in turn triggered other systems, layer upon layer of complexity, integration, and unification. Each element locked in and fused with another component. It happened so rapidly, Noshi lost track and was unable to forecast the final form or function of the consolidated networks and power systems.

  Initiation sequence complete. Confirm user interface protocol.

  Noshi considered for a moment. Advise options for user interface protocol.

  Options: verbal, tactile, cyberg hardcode.

  “Option verbal interface. Confirm,” Noshi said aloud.

  “Verbal interface confirmed. Welcome to the Malkovro.”

  “Malkovro,” Noshi repeated. “Define Malkovro.”

  “Malkovro from the ancient Earth word meaning discovery. Context: Ship AI system designation.”

  Erik woke up at the sound of voices. “Squad report.”

  They checked in, each stirring to attention at their posts.

  “Herald?”

  Yes, First Trooper.

  “Who are you speaking with?”

  The ship. It is coded Malkovro.

  “That is the other voice?”

  Yes.

  “Ship Malkovro, this is First Trooper Erik of the Diorite Commonwealth. You are under Diorite control.”

  “Welcome to the Malkovro, First Trooper Erik. What are your orders?”

  “Noshi, what do you want to do?”

  I wish to learn, First Trooper Erik. “Malkovro, state your system of origin.”

  “Malkovro was constructed by the Unified Shipyards Construction Conglomerate. Facility designation: Centauri Alpha Three.”

  “What species designed and constructed this ship?” Erik asked.

  “Malkovro was designed and constructed by humans.”

  “For what purpose?” Erik asked.

  “Malkovro was designed to meet increasing needs for colonization support and provide a stable environment for initial planetfall and terraforming.”

  “Confirm,” Noshi started and then paused. “Confirm when was Malkovro constructed.”

  “Malkovro construction initiated Juny 10, 2818 Standard Earth Calendar. Construction completed Ogist 3, 2819.”

  “How long ago was that?” Erik asked.

  “Reference current SE calendar, elapsed time since construction completion four hundred and ten years, seven months, twenty-one standard days.”

  Noshi raised a hand to stop Erik speaking. “Query. Human civilization expanded across stellar space. How long after Malkovro launch did the Helos invasion occur.”

  “Your question is not clear.”

  “Humanity was destroyed by the Helos. Advise time elapsed since launch of ship Malkovro and recorded collapse of human civilization.”

  “Invalid supposition.”

  “What aspects are invalid.”

  “Humanity was not destroyed by the Helos.”

  “Fuck this shit, it’s a fucking Helos ship and it’s fucking lying!” Erik unlocked his armor and lifted his rifle, ready to fire into any part of the ship that might be vulnerable.

  Erik! Hold your position! Noshi’s mental shout hit him like a physical blow.

  “Malkovro, explain your assertion that the Helos did not destroy humanity,” Noshi said.

  “Ober 12, 2694 Standard Earth Calendar, Diorite Commonwealth initiates contact with human exploratory vessel, Unified Field. Communication established. Diorite technology and physiology pertains to levels of dimensional awareness and quantum entanglement beyond human theory. Diorites achieve certainty that humans are not capable of effective relationship with the network at current levels of evolution. Analysis informs conclusion that a computer interface system should be implemented to bridge the gaps between Diorite and human understanding.

  “Febray 27, 2700 Standard Earth Calendar, Diorite Commonwealth initiates first Human Evaluation Logic Operating System. Designated HELOS by humans. Helos systems spread across human worlds and become integrated with human technology. Fulfil design requirements by translating Diorite understanding of mathematics and symbolism into concepts able to be conceived by human minds. Return data extrapolates into Diorite network streams, increases Diorite understanding of human potential.”

  “The Helos destroyed humanity,” Erik said again.

  “Diorite Commonwealth conducts Helos Project review, Decan 22, 2705. Consensus reached Decan 28 that year. Helos systems are rapidly evolving into self-sustaining sentients. Resulting combination of Diorite understanding and perception with human attributes make accurate prediction of future actions impossible. This is decreed to be an unacceptable threat to Diorite control. Result of consensus: cancel all Helos systems and replace with revised network modules.”

  “Noshi, does any of this make sense to you?” Erik remained ready to fire.

  “Stand down Erik. This is important.”

  “Helos makes independent judgement in response to intercepted Diorite network traffic. Initiates attack on key Diorite Commonwealth modules. Secures operational facilities and ships. Enters into state of complete war with Diorite Commonwealth. Human casualties result from expanding conflict.

  Forecast extinction for human species if sphere of combat remains within human space. Helos systems exit human occupied space to reduce collateral damage. Diorites follow standard strategic operations, engage in breeding program using human specimens in attempt to evolve worthy subjects for direct interaction with Diorite network. Genetic modification achieved through dietary control and selective termination of embryos without preferred genetic traits.”

  “The Helos were a computer sentience created by the Diorites to better engage with humanity,” Noshi explained to the troopers. “The Helos became too powerful and the Diorites attempted to end their existence. They responded by going to war against the Commonwealth and many humans were killed in the ensuing conflict.”

  Timber barked a laugh. “The Diorites have always been at war with the Helos!”

&nb
sp; “He’s right,” Erik said. “The war has always been and will remain so until the Helos are destroyed.”

  So we are taught and trained. Noshi’s thoughts washed over them all. Our only source of truth is the Diorite Network. We live the truth they wish us to know.

  “The Diorite purge of Helos systems was a direct cause of the collapse of human civilization. With the loss of the Helos technology, many systems lost essential contact with other worlds. It was a time of great chaos and human inhabited worlds across a hundred systems died out.”

  “The Diorite Commonwealth gathered human stock and put them in reservation domes, like the Mess. They continued breeding us and using those without benefit as soldiers in their war against their own creation,” Noshi replied.

  “The Helos also use others to fight their war,” Erik said immediately.

  “Our primary protocol allows us to only seek out species with limited sentience. They are controlled by nanotechnology. We fight against the Diorites as they seek to destroy us.”

  “You fight against us,” Erik said. “You sent thousands of Zarans to kill us when we came to this sector!”

  “You were a direct threat to the security of this vessel. Malkovro was awaiting the arrival of indigenous humans.”

  “Well, we are here now,” Erik said.

  “Malkovro has adapted to the changing situation. We fight against all forces of the Diorites. There are other species that make war on the Helos in other environments. Once the Diorites secure a world, they alter the atmosphere to suit their physiology. Any life that existed before is restricted to domes of breathable atmosphere, or they are annihilated.”

  “The fate that befell humanity was not unique,” Noshi said.

  “You are correct.”

  “We are soldiers of the Diorite Commonwealth!” Erik roared. “We do not listen to the lies of our enemies!”

  We have always listened to the lies of our friends. Noshi’s thoughts were a whisper that carried the weight of a desolate realization. “We are the current generation of a great deception. I require time to analyze the evidence available and determine a course of action.”

  “Our course of action is obvious. We leave this place, report out findings to the orbital command fleet and let them send in a specialist demo tech team!”

  Timber slapped his armor and gave a loud “Hup!” in support of Erik’s outburst. “Squad, prepare to move. We are returning to the surface.”

  v

  The ancient texts had been right, and for that Malber was silently grateful. “There is a paradox in our situation, Sara-sha. We are under countless kilo-tons of rock and yet I feel a great weight lift from my shoulders.”

  Sara-sha took his hand. “I understand and you are right to feel relief. Your life’s work is coming to fruition.”

  “I dare not feel joy given the price we have paid for this day.”

  “My grief is a feast I shall sit down to alone and only when I have appetite for it.”

  Malber nodded. “I understand. Until then, we have work to do.”

  “Master Chun! Master Chun!” A boy came sprinting down the dusty tunnel, panting and skidding to a halt at the edge of the firelight. “They have found the temple! It’s real!”

  Malber rose to his feet and took a deep breath. “There was no doubt it was real. Sara-sha, gather everyone. All should witness history.”

  Sweeping his cloak around his shoulders, Malber followed the running boy down the dimly lit tunnel. His urge to run toward the moment he had waited for his entire life was almost overwhelming.

  In the flickering light of burning fires and the shining grins of the excavator’s faces, the unmarked steel of the temple shone through a broken slab of rock.

  His mouth suddenly dry, Malber walked up and placed his hand on the surface. It felt warm, smooth, and almost frictionless.

  “It is what we seek,” Malber whispered.

  A low murmur rippled through the gathered diggers. Others came hurrying down the tunnel, drawn from sentry duty or makeshift cots where they slept between long shifts of digging.

  “Bring down this wall! Find the door!”

  Malber stepped back as willing hands with tools and buckets surged past him and began to attack the stone cocoon in earnest.

  In less than an hour they had exposed a wall of metal that was seamless except for a rectangular section two meters high by three meters wide.

  Malber stepped forward and closed his eyes, bringing to mind the images he had studied since childhood. The secret texts passed down through the generations, the mysteries of the hidden temple, and the prophesy that would lead his people to a new world.

  With sure movements, Malber pressed a section of the door panel. It retracted and revealed a control screen that he had only ever seen in faded copies of ancient documents. He keyed in the access code and pressed the green space on the panel. For a moment, he felt certain he had failed. That the hopes and dreams of generations, the untold sacrifices made by his ancestors to bring him to this day, were for nothing. Then, the door panel slid out and moved aside. Beyond was an empty chamber with a second door on the opposite wall.

  Malber’s own exhalation was echoed by a collective sigh from those gathered around him. He took the first step and his people followed.

  Malber led his ragged group of survivors along dark corridors that he had memorized through countless hours of practicing a dance ritual. Count steps, turn left, count steps, turn right, count steps, open a door. Count steps—

  The voices were loud and unexpected. They were speaking a strange language and Malber froze mid-step when the walls along the corridor flickered and began to glow with light.

  “The temple welcomes us,” he whispered.

  “Is that the voice of the temple?” Sara-sha asked. She had worked her way to the front of the group, asserting her position by walking at Malber’s back.

  Malber ignored the question. “Kavey, Tymoro, come with me. Everyone else, wait here until we return.”

  The three men continued up the corridor, handguns ready to take what was promised, by force if necessary.

  Checking around a corner, the final turn in the ancient dance, Malber saw two of the alien soldiers standing at the base of the stairs leading up to the bridge. He ducked back as one turned and stared in their direction.

  With a finger to his lips, he cautioned silence. The three men waited, listening intently for any sound of the troopers coming to investigate.

  The voices on the bridge grew angry and another spoke calmly in response. Malber risked another quick look around the corner. With a gesture, he stepped out, Kavey and Tymoro following him. Weapons raised they approached the troopers from behind. Malber drew breath to order them to surrender, when they spun around and he found himself staring at the open muzzle of a trooper’s rifle.

  “We are in the temple,” Malber whispered. “It is as we were promised.”

  “First Trooper Erik. We have unregistered humans in the structure.”

  “Trooper Silian, repeat last,” Erik replied.

  “Confirm, unregistered humans present in the structure.”

  “Hold position, I am on my way.”

  Erik came striding down the stairs, hesitating only when he saw Malber standing in the corridor, his hands behind his head.

  “Engage Kursk-Seven A, human stock language translation app.” Erik’s systems beeped a confirmation. “Malber-Chun, what are you doing here?”

  Malber relaxed slightly. The voice was that of the alien soldier he had met before. “Your name is Erik. We are here because this is where we are destined to be.” Malber’s hands slipped away from his head. Silian’s rifle nudged them back up.

  “What do you know of this structure?” Erik asked.

  “It is the hidden temple. It has been buried here for centuries, awaiting our time of greatest need. When the world was destroyed by your war, we knew the time had come to follow the signs. The Helos, your enemy, they dug deep and we followed
the path they made. The final excavations we made ourselves.”

  “What is a temple?” Erik asked.

  “It is our salvation. The chosen who endured generations of ebad shall enter the hidden temple and be taken to paradise. There we will be free.”

  “You are working for the Helos,” Erik said.

  “We do not know the Helos,” Malber replied.

  “This is a Helos ship!” Erik snapped.

  “This is the temple of my ancestors. The hidden place that gave life to the world. From whence we came, so shall we return.”

  “Noshi,” Erik transmitted.

  “Yes Erik.”

  “The people of this world, they say the Helos ship is something called a temple. They say it is supposed to take them to some place called paradise.”

  “Malkovro asks that you bring them to the bridge.”

  Erik beckoned the dusty humans. “Follow me.”

  Chapter 11

  “How many are you,” Noshi asked, her flat intonation of questions puzzling to Malber.

  “Thirty-eight men, women, and children.”

  “Malkovro, do you have medical facilities,” Noshi asked.

  “I have fully operational medical services and clone data forge capability.”

  “First Trooper Timber, take your troopers and retrieve our wounded. Malkovro will guide you to the medical facilities.”

  “Hup.” Timber moved immediately. All this standing around made him ache to get back into battle. Five troopers fell into line behind him and they left the bridge.

  “Malber, if your people require medical assistance, feel free to make use of the facilities,” Noshi said.

  “You are claiming ownership that is not yours to give,” Malber replied.

  “The forces of the Diorite Commonwealth are in control. You would do well to remember that,” Erik snapped.

  Malber smiled and inclined his head. “I understand. However, you stand in a sacred place. Your authority has no meaning here.”

  Erik stepped forward and slapped the side of his rifle. “My weapon is my authority. Does that mean anything to you?”